Campy Only Rumors: 2001

Rumors archived from 2001--use the links below for other archives . . .

December 14, 2001--Former Tour de France winner and Olymic gold medalist Jan Ullrich is releasing his own line of bicycles. They're not a copy of the Pinarello machines he has ridden as a member of Team Telekom, but they will be equipped with Campagnolo components (see photo). No word on pricing or availability in the U.S.

December 12, 2001--Thanks to one of our faithful readers for sending these photos from a recent cycling trade show. Campagnolo is obviously making a big deal about their carbon Record components. Click on the images to see a larger version.


Above: Campagnolo's trade booth	Got carbon?

December 10, 2001--Do you still have Campagnolo clothing on your holiday wish list? Here are some recent prices for the official togs (from www.bicycleclassics.com ). For comparison, Branford Bike's prices for similar Assos clothing (some of the best and most expensive stuff available) are shown in parentheses.
The Prices . . .
Long-fingered winter gloves: $43 ($40)
Cold weather headband: $28 ($25 for Assos cap)
Long-sleeved jersey in "Thermolite": $100 ($120)
Long-sleeved jersey: $80
Knicker shorts: $140 ($147)
Campagnolo socks: $10 ($20)
(See all of Branford Bike's winter clothing at http://www.branfordbike.com/wintwear/wintwear.html Note: Branford Bike is a featured Campy Only sponsor)

November 23, 2001--Bicycle maker Trek was the manufacturer who finally found someone strong enough to pilot a ShimaNO-equipped machine to the winner's podium at the Tour de France. So what's next? How about a Campagnolo-equipped top-of-the-line Trek? Apparently responding to the many riders who won't use ShimaNO, Trek is now offering the option to outfit their frames with Campy components. For more info: www.trekbikes.com (Look for the "Project One" link)

November 21, 2001--Prices for the carbon crankset are starting to show up on the web. Campy Only sponsor Branford Bike lists them for $799.88; other retailers on the internet are showing them for similar prices. One reader reported finding a mail order house in Florida selling them for $700 (no details were provided). Click here to see Branford Bike's Campy Crankset page

November 21, 2001--In other news, the new Hyperon wheel set is showing up with a retail price of $2,100. And if you run out of other Campagnolo items to buy, you can now find the 2002 catalog on sale at eBay--one auction currently under way offers a set of Campy and ShimaNO catalogs for $20 (question: Who would pay anything for a ShimaNO catalog?)

November 8, 2001--Sources report that the dealer price for the carbon crankset will result in a suggested retail price of about $900. Expect mail order prices lower than that, somewhere around $750-800.

November 5, 2001--New photo from Tokyo--this time, the back side of the carbon crankset. Note the interesting use of a threadless stem as part of the display at the show booth.

November 2, 2001--Our sources tell us that the U.S. distributor of Campagnolo clothing has lowered the minimum order amount for retailers from $1,000 to $500 (see our May 30 rumor), and now allows smaller special orders. The most likely reason for the reduced minimum, according to our sources? Poor retail sales, due mostly to the high price of the clothing. Campagnolo, when will you offer reasonably priced clothing?

November 2, 2001--From reader Pete in Japan comes the best photo yet of the Record carbon crankset, and his thoughts on it: "The "ugly seam" isn't ugly IMHO. The listed price at this display is 130,000 Yen (about $1100), although the Campagnolo exhibit stated the price is 150,000 Yen. Prices are much greater in Japan than in the US - some comparisons: Shimano Dura-Ace Crank 32,630 Yen; Polar S710 HRM 31,000 Yen; Pinarello Surprise frame 125,000 Yen, Specialized S-Works E5 frame 229,000 Yen. Current exchange rate is about 120Yen=$1." Pete's web site: www.thisbikeisstolen.com

October 24, 2001--One reader, Philip Bosmans from Belgium, wrote to report that he uses and enjoys Campagnolo clothing: I am driving in a shirt and a bibshort of Campagnolo; paid nearly 90 usd for the shorts and for the shirt. Very comfortable, very well cut and way less flashy than riding around in a "so called" team shirt. ps of course i am an authorised wearer of the outfit as I drive a 2001 Bianchi with Veloce."

October 18, 2001--Our Campagnolo clothing hunt is still finding most of them still hanging on racks. Wrote one reader, "The only Campy clothing I have seen is the stuff that has been hanging on the racks at Chicagoland Bicycle since it was introduced. Every time I go in there, the same sizes sit in the same positions unsold and way overpriced." Maybe Campagnolo will come out with a lower-priced line soon? One other reader's missive:
"All over Boulder, colorado.. big deal.. but you guys are a little geeked-out to request a report on clothing!.. like a bunch of twittering girls... anyways, anyone who would wear the full kit while riding a tweaked campy-tricked bike must be a dentist or a fat nobody... socks, maybe socks. ever seen those guys with the "Corvette" preppy-shirts? wearing campy runs that risk...." Hmmm . . . we're not fat or a dentist . . . must be some other excuse . . .

October 18, 2001--From our exclusive sources comes news of the suggested retail prices for the 2002 Record gruppo and other stuff. First of all, look forward to spending about $100 more for a complete Record gruppo next year--a complete gruppo (with an alloy crankset) will set you back about $1,400. Want the new carbon crankset? We're still hearing that retail prices will probably range in the area of $850-900. Add a set of the new all-carbon Hyperon wheels? About $1950, based on published online prices. Yes, the best comes at a price . . .

October 15, 2001--Why did we send six copies of our most recent email update? Well, we didn't--blame it on our email server, which went berserk and started sending out multiple copies. Our apologies to those readers who thought we were churning out "SpamaNO"

October 15, 2001--Who has seen Campagnolo clothing? A few readers have written back in response to our October 11 request, mostly to say that they have seen the clothing in stores (mostly in Canada), but that it is "too expensive" (a frequent comment) to actually buy. Several riders have given high marks to Campagnolo socks--one reader said, "I bought their thermo socks and can tell you that so far riding in the fall here in upstate New York, they have worked to perfection. A little pricey perhaps but a good value." Click to report your sightings of Campagnolo clothing!

October 12, 2001--Have we been too hasty in bashing the appearance of Campagnolo's new carbon crankset? One reader suggests that we have. He's seen the new crankset at the shows, and says that, yes, it has a big seam around the edges but that it was clearly marked as a prototype. Look for a much improved version when you fork over your $900 buck (more or less) at your local bike shop. In the meantime, we're still waiting to see the crankset with our own eyes . . .
The same reader questions whether the Lew crankset mention in our October 11 rumor is all it is advertised to be: "At Interbike '00 they showed a prototype crankset that they claimed would blow everybody else's out of the water (in fact they bad-mouthed everybody else's carbon cranks.) It never materialized. Lew admits that it turned out to be way to flexy (despite pre production claims that it would be the stiffest ever) and the aluminum fittings tended to fall off of it."

October 11, 2001--Question for all you folks out there: Has anybody seen (or worn) Campagnolo's new clothing? We ride a lot, but have yet to see any of Campy's new, expensive duds in any paceline we've been in. Click to report any sightings of Campagnolo clothing!

Campagnolo's official clothing info

October 11, 2001--Have you seen the new official Campagnolo web site? It's at http://www.campagnolo.com/home.php It's new, it's flashy--you be the judge on how well it serves your needs. One thing missing entirely--there are no links to Campy Only! Note to users: The "Campagnolo Calendar" link points to a September 2001 calendar page. To get the October calendar, replace the name of the month in the URL . . .

October 11, 2001--A reader who wishes to remain anonymous weighs in on the new carbon crankset: "After holding the new crank at Interbike, it is not as cool as it looks in pics. There is an UGLY seam that runs all the way around the crank and it seems more about looks than performance. Don't despair though, LEW Composites will have its campy crank, which will meet full OEM specs, ready by Christmas or so. These cranks will use a skeleton made from the original crank so it will have the same chainline and q factor. Secondly, early test models suggest that it will be significantly lighter than the Campy model while being much stiffer. Lastly, wrapped in all uni directional carbon, these cranks look extremely cool and very neat." We're also hearing from folks who have been to the trade shows that the new crankset will be available in a 172.5 length only initially, with other sizes coming later. The crankset will not be part of the Record gruppo, but will be offered as an optional item . . .

October 4, 2001--We keep hearing more from folks who have seen the new carbon crankset and in some cases actually talked with Campagnolo representatives at trade shows. One reader reports, "They are super proud of it. It looks nice but not campy nice. The FSA had a better shine to it. Maybe the best part of campy's booth was the cool carbon fibre stickers they were giving away." Another anonymous source writes, "Re: the Record Carbon Cranks, the following from direct conversations: On 9/30 Campy USA stated that they would be available before the end of the year, but only in 172.5, at first, with other sizes probably not available until after the first of the year. On 10/1 Sinclair stated that they will not list the Carbon cranks until they get a price from Campy USA, which they hadn't yet been able to do (despite having adjacent booths at Interbike.) On 10/3 Campy USA stated that a price still hasn't been set, though retail will probably be in the $900 to $1,000 range, with no idea what the wholesale price will be. Accurate info. or red herrings?? Time will tell!" We will of course keep our readers informed as the carbon saga continues . . .

October 1, 2001--We've heard a more accurate price for the carbon crankset--around $850-900. Time to start looking for a bank to rob . . .

September 26, 2001--How much for a carbon crankset? We're still looking for a definitive answer, but the latest we've heard is that the price will be more than $700--maybe as high at $1,000. That would put the price for a top-of-the-line Record gruppo well over $2,000. Start saving your spare change now, everyone . . .

September 26, 2001--A sharp-eyed reader sent in this Campagnolo patent for a computer integrated into the right-hand lever body. We'll let you decide whether it's good or bad that this particular product never made it to market . . . For more information, click here to go to the U.S. Patent Office web site
September 21, 2001--If you want to spend a few minutes downloading some large files, check out these links to two Acrobat presentations on Campagnolo's 2002 gruppos from the Swedish web site www.ullberg-bike.com The presentations are in English, and require Acrobat reader version 4.0 or later. The files are also zipped, and require a program to convert from *.ZIP format.

2002 Gruppos (Zipped PDF Presentation)

2002 Wheelsets (Zipped PDF Presentation)
A few samples from the shows:

	The new Xenon gruppo features a simplified Ergopower mechanism--few parts than current gruppos.
	The Xenon rear derailleur is almost a Record lookalike, with a black composite body.

September 17, 2001--Hold the phone! Our earlier estimated price for the carbon crankset may be way off--one source reports a price closer to $700. Check back--we're looking into this. Also today--news of the carbon crankset has broken on the official website at www.campagnolo.com Click here for an excerpt from Campagnolo's official information.

September 13, 2001--Unofficial sources put the projected price of the carbon crankset at about $300. We're still looking at availability in November.

September 11, 2001--Record Carbon Cranks! Campagnolo has done it again--they snuck 10-speed onto market, and now they have chosen the EICMA show in Milan, Italy, to unveil the long-rumored carbon crankset. Early information says that the carbon crankset is about 135 grams lighter than the standard alloy version. Look for Campagnolo to start shipping the cranks in October; they should be in stores in November. Watch for more information as it becomes available.

September 7, 2001--Is Hyperon heavier than Neutron? Well, if you're talking about the real subatomic particles, that's the case. Reader Peter McClennan points out that hyperons (a subatomic particle) are heavier than Neutrons. He sends this definition:

Subatomic Particle: Any particle of less than atomic mass, e.g., the electron, proton, and neutron, also called atomic particle. Subatomic particles are classified by relative mass into four groups: leptons, mesons, nucleons, and hyperons, from lowest to highest masses, respectively.

Campagnolo apparently didn't check their physics textbooks before assigning the new name, which may also explain why Electron wheels were heavier than Protons, even though real electrons are lighter . . . To read more about Hyperons, click here.

September 4, 2001--Reports from the recent Eurobike show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, confirm what we've already reported--there's not much new for Campagnolo in 2002. The few new items include the Hyperon all-carbon wheelset (shown at right) and a new Record triple crankset. The latter item finally provides a Record-level triple crankset--a "Record Triple" crankset offered in years past was actually an Athena crankset.

Photos above: Hyperon hum, spokes, and rim are made of carbon fiber.

Photo above: Record triple crankset.

One attendee at the Eurobike show asked the German-speaking representative how much the new Hyperon wheelset would cost. The reply--"Es wird teuer" ("It's gonna be expensive").

	August 24, 2001--Here is what we've heard about Campagnolo's wheels for 2002: (model name # spokes front/# spokes rear) Hyperon 22f/24r - tubular only Neutron 22f/24r - tubular and clincher Eurus 16f/21r - clincher only? Zonda 18f/21r - clincher only All models for 2002 have a ShimaNO compatible rear wheel version. Tubluars are slightly more expensive than the comparable clincher version. Looks like the Shamal, Nucleon, and Electron are all gone for 2002. So, the 2002 line up may be: Bora - still around as the aero carbon wheel? Eurus - not low end as in '97/'98? Zonda - will it never reach production as in '98? Hyperon - new carbon rim climb dynamic wheel? Neutron - replacement for Nucleon or Electron? Proton - featuring the new Centaur hub? Thanks to Gravity B. for this rumor . . .
	August 15, 2001--What's coming for 2002? A reader in the Netherlands sends this list of new stuff, per the French magazine, Le Cycle: Look for new wheel designs, including the carbon-rimmed and -hubbed Hyperon, as well as a new Rolf-like spoke pattern for the fluid dynamic wheels with only half as many spokes on the left side as on the right side of the rear wheel, bringing the weight down to climb-dynamic figures. Campy's Shamal wheels will not be offered in 2002. Not much news as for the groupsets except from the appearance of a Record Triple set (question: will it really be a Record-quality crank?), and the design of all Record Triple parts derived from the 2001 Record parts: 111mm bottom bracket, long cage derailleur, 3 x 10 compatiblee. (No carbon cranks so far.) For next year, Campy also adds a new economy gruppo below Mirage, called Xenon (a name formerly used for a budget-priced Campy gruppo in the early '90s). Daytona, of course, will be renamed Centaur, as reported here earlier.
	August 13, 2001--Campagnolo has added another clothing manufacturer to its list of exclusive licensees. According to their official press release, Pace Sportswear of Huntington Beach, California, has been licensed by Campagnolo to be the exclusive manufacturer of cycling caps and skullcaps for the 2001-2002 season. Caps will be offered in five styles; skullcaps in two styles. Click here to see them on Branford Bike's web site (Branford Bike is a Campy Only sponsor). Still no sign of a licensed maker of T-shirts or headbands . . .
	August 3, 2001--Is ShimaNO planning to play catch-up? We're hearing that the 2002 Dura Ace gruppo will feature carbon cranks, seatpost, levers, and derailleur, and will come in 10-speed.
	August 2, 2001--From the "give credit where credit is due" department comes this reprinted email release from ShimaNO, who had a, well, fantastic year at the 2001 Tour de France. Only one major prize--Erik Zabel's green jersey--was won on a Campy-equipped bike. Perhaps it was because several major Campy-using Italian teams (Mercatone Uno and Saeco/Cannondale come to mind) were excluded from the tour in favor of ShimaNO-using French squads, but it was hard to find much to crow about at this year's tour. Here is ShimaNO's release: "¶Tour de France 2001 is over now, rest-time has come now for the 144 heroes who managed to reach the Champs-Elysées. ¶Time also for Shimano to congratulate them all for this great performance. Out of those 144 racers, Shimano equipped riders have managed to win 16 out of the 20 stages + Prologue. ¶Of course, Lance Armstrong (Team US Postal Services) deserves our particular congratulations for his third victory in a row. He was simply umbeatable all over the Tour, showing an ability to control the race as well as placing attacks at the perfect time. ¶We are also proud to greet Laurent Jalabert (Team CSC-Tiscali). His Shimano SPD-R pedals and carbon fiber Dura-Ace wheels brought him to the King of Mountain jersey, unpredictable title for a non-mountain specialist, he collected in Paris the Combativity title as well. ¶As last year, Team Kelme gained the Team title and their rider Oscar Sevilla won the best young White jersey, the whole team was on Shimano wheels and componentry. ¶Finally, we would like also to congratulate Erik Zabel (Team Telekom), who managed to win the Green Jersey for the 6th time in a row. Erik snapped this Green jersey to Australian Stuart O'Grady (Team Crédit-Agricole), whom was riding full Dura-Ace including WH-7700 wheels. ¶Why did the Official Tour de France guide spoke about "war of the shifters"... ¶For your records, overall 6 stages were won on Shimano Dura-Ace wheels and/or SPD-R pedals."
	July 23, 2001--Tour de France news from one of our readers: "Tyler Hamilton wrote in his VeloNews diary regarding Stage 13 of Le Tour: "For the second time, the derailleur on my climbing broke. There's nothing you can do in a situation like this except stop. It's not like having a flat where you can keep rolling." Maybe Tyler's team will use Campy-equipped bikes next year?
	July 12, 2001--More on carbon wheels, this time in an article from the industry publication Bicycle Retailer: Campagnolo Flattens Carbon Spokes VICENZA, Italy—Road wheels increasingly use fewer spokes to save weight and flatter spokes to cheat the air. Campagnolo has developed the concept one step further by patenting a flat carbon fiber spoke design. ) Campy claims that carbon spokes of its patented design, number 6,036,279, can shave 100 grams (3.57 ounces) from current race level wheels. Spinergy uses co-molded carbon spokes and the EDO design of a few years ago using flat carbon spokes with round metal J and threaded ends. Campy goes somewhere in between with a replaceable spoke design that can use one head for two spokes. The rim end of the spoke is wider than the middle of the spoke in order to take a threaded spoke end. A traditional nipple tensions the wheel. The patent shows a variety of spoke head designs adaptable to a variety of lacing patterns. Just for the record, we note that Campy Only published news of Campagnolo's new carbon spoke design on January 1 . . . click here to see our report.
	June 30, 2001--The Danish web site www.bikebuster.dk is reporting that Campagnolo will release a new carbon-rimmed wheelset next year. Dubbed Hyperon, the wheels will weigh a total of 1200 grams for a set--about 340 grams less than Campagnolo's current lightest wheelset (Nucleon tubulars). Also look for the replacement of Shamal wheels with Eurus. Also confirmed on the web site is the news that Daytona will become Centaur next year (see our June 6 report)
	June 19, 2001--Ok, OK, OK!! The photo of the "carbon crank" below has drawn a lot of reader response. Several readers have pointed out that the photo (below) is from the Schwab Cycles catalog (yeah, we already knew that), and that the cranks are perhaps an anodized set of Record cranks. It has also been suggested that the photo is several years old and may even show an early-90s "Century" finish crankset. So . . . We're ready to admit that the photo may not show a set of Campagnolo carbon cranks. We published it just to keep the flame burning over at the carbon crank shrine. And while that flame burns, we're still on the lookout for news of carbon cranks . . .
	June 18, 2001--Broken track hubs? Here's how Branford Bike (a Campy Only sponsor) is responding to concerned users of Campagnolo's track gruppo: "¶We received an email from the unlucky track hub owner and were more than a little surprised. We believe that there is more to the story though. We have never seen Campy hubs fail catastrophically except when involved in a serious collision. ¶As of June 15th, 2001 we have not had any other reports of Campagnolo track hub problems. We know many riders that use them for road fixed gear training too. As of now we believe there is no reason for Campy Track hub owners to be concerned. ¶Thanks,Tim Brockett at Branford Bike"
	June 15, 2001--OK, let's hop on the Campy Carbon Crank bandwagon again--this time with a photo from the web (courtesy of reader Craig S.) that may show a Campagnolo-logoed carbon crank. Says Craig, "maybe another step towards the carbon crank becoming a reality"
	June 13, 2001--Are you using Campagnolo track hubs on the road for your fixed-gear bicycle? If you are, don't expect warranty support if you hub breaks. Click here for detailed information from Sheldon Brown's web site
	June 6, 2001--And still more Giro news from Peter: ".....and so it goes on.....on stage 6 it is reported that Rik Verbrugge's ShimaNO equipped GT bike had TWO chains break......must be those fiddly pins they use!! "
	June 6, 2001--News from the Giro d'Italia . . . Reader Peter Young recounts this incident from Stage 4: "It was Giro D'Italia Stage 4. On the last climb to Montevergine the Mexican Rider Julio Perez Cuapio has a solo lead of about 15 seconds over the leading group. Suddenly on a hairpin bend the chain breaks on his ShimaNO equipped Tem Ceramiche Panaria-Fiordo Battaglin Bicycle. He throws the bike into the Armco Barrier and in tears watches the leading group go onto the finish!!........Yes it really happened....I saw it live on TV"
	June 6, 2001--And the new name for the Daytona gruppo is . . . Centaur? We had heard (see our May 10 rumor) that Campagnolo might choose this name, which last graced a former MTB gruppo in the early 90s. We joked that they would use the large stock of "centaur"-printed cardboard boxes that may be sitting around in a warehouse in Vicenza . . . Anyway, Bianchi is showing a new bike on their web site, the "SL/AL Centaur" which is built up with . . . "Campagnolo Centaur 10-speed". Click here to visit Bianchi's SL/AL Centaur site (One sharp-eyed reader pointed out that the hyperlink still refers to "Daytona")
	May 30, 2001--More Campagnolo clothing news . . . Industry sources report that all Campagnolo clothing sold in the US will come through one company, Illinois-based Ochsner International Inc., a well-known importer of cycling products (including Campagnolo components). Ochsner has established a limit of 100 retailers in the US, and each retailer will be required to charge the suggested retail price for the clothing--if they sell for less, they will be dropped from the list. Holding the line on price is not unusual in the bicycle industry (Mavic has tried to keep the prices of its rims and wheels the same nationwide for years), so Ochsner's move it not unheard of. It still doesn't bode well for anyone who can't shell out $125 for a jersey.
	May 24, 2001--Just when you thought it was time to put those Record carbon crank rumors to rest, along comes . . a Campagnolo carbon crankset? The image at right is floating around the internet, offering a "Campagnolo-compatible" carbon crankset. Despite the Campagnolo logo, this is not a Record crankset! Updated 5-30-01: The US distributor for these cranks wrote to ask that we clarify that his product is compatible with Campagnolo's 135mm bolt circle. He also points out this his cranks come with a lifetime warranty (Campy offers 3 years on theirs) and a 20% increase in stiffness and 50-gram weight reduction compared to Record cranks. He says he has sold more than 400 cranksets thus far without a single problem. For more information on these cranks, email carbonLORD@hotmail.com We have asked for a set to road test--watch this site for more information.
	May 24, 2001--Could the upcoming Campagnolo-logoed clothing debacle get any worse? Well, sources tell us that retailers who want to sell Campy clothing will be prohibited from offering sale prices or discounts. You'll be paying full price for everything with a Campy logo on it--no deals no anything, or the retailer will lose the ability to get more stock in the future. Just one of the effects of having a single source . . .
	May 11, 2001--One industry source reports that clothing with a Campagnolo logo on it outsells similar clothing with a Shimano logo by at least 10 to 1. Guess those ShimaNO riders just aren't that proud of what they're riding! (Maybe this explains the guys on ShimaNO-equipped bikes who wear Campagnolo jerseys . . . )
	May 10, 2001--Goodbye Daytona! No, Campagnolo is not discontinuing the well-received gruppo, but sources report that trademark problems have forced them to stop using the Daytona name, which is trademarked by someone else (see our item below for more trademark-related news). No news on how Campagnolo could have invested so much in the Daytona name without checking ownership of it first . . . A new name for Daytona? One suggestion being floated is "Centaur," the name of one of Campagnolo's off-road gruppos from the 1990s. Centaur never sold well, leading one source to suggest that the company may have a good supply of empty boxes with the name on them that can be recycled . . .
	May 4, 2001--If you want a jersey, T-shirt, headband, etc., with the Campagnolo trademark on it, better buy it quick. Sources report that Campagnolo has ended its licensing agreements with a number of clothing manufacturers (Pace, Kucharik, etc.) who now make these items. Instead, Campagnolo has given an exclusive license for the use of the Campagnolo name and trademarks to Abacus 2000, the Italian cycling clothing maker which is manufacturing Campagnolo's own clothing line (see our April 20, 2001 rumor). In a further move, Campagnolo has informed its existing licensees to stop selling any merchandise with the Campagnolo trademark as of July 1, 2001. That means that if you want to buy Campagnolo-logoed clothing (legally, anyway), you will need to do it soon--or wait for Abacus 2000 (which has very little presence in the US) to manufacture and market their own clothing (their web site currently lists only one distributor in the US--Ochsner International, a wholesaler who sells to retail shops). What effect will this have on us, the riders? Well, Abacus 2000 will have an exclusive license, which doesn't bode well for price competition--there simply won't be any. And if you don't like their fabric, or fit, or styles, you'll be out of luck. Your other alternative, of course, will be to buy bootleg or illegal merchandise or to purchase Campagnolo's own clothing line (at $125 per jersey--see our earlier rumor below). To buy Campy-logo tees and gifts from Branford Bike, click here. (Branford Bike is a Campy Only sponsor)
	April 20, 2001--Wonder why it has taken so long for Campagnolo's clothing line to reach stores in the U.S.? Well, rumor has it that every single jersey shipped to distributors in the U.S. was defective and had to be sent back to Italy. At $125 apiece, it's a good thing they're making sure each is perfect before you buy it . . .
	April 17, 2001--Spanish rider Melchior Mauri is scheduled to make a run at the hour record in May--aboard a Campy-equipped track bike that took framebuilder Gios a total of 20 days to make. The photo at right shows Mauri test-riding the bicycle on the velodrome at Montroig. For a complete report (in Spanish), go to http://ciclismo.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1246&p=2&stid=8104325 (For an English translation, go to http://babelfish.altavista.com/translate.dyn and enter this URL). Thanks to reader Rúben Carro for submitting this item.
	April 13, 2001--Ouch! Campagnolo's clothing line is finally available to buy, but you'll pay dearly to have your jersey and shorts match your Campy-equipped bike. Would you believe $125 for a jersey? How about $135 for a pair of shorts? That's what they're listing these clothes for at www.velogear.com . . . (click on the photo for an excerpt from their Spring/Summer catalog.
	April 8, 2001--Not a rumor, but a word to the wise: When ordering Campagnolo wheels, make sure you get what you're asking for. We recently ordered a set of Electrons, and would have received last year's model (not the updated 201 version) had Branford Bike not checked. As it was, we had to go on a waiting list--the 2001 versions are zooming out of distributors' warehouses as soon as they come in.
	April 8, 2001--Branford Bike reports that they finally have a surplus of ErgoBrain computers in stock. The EB has been in short supply since its introduction, but Cateye (the Japanese manufacturer of the EB unit) seems to have finally produced enough to keep them on dealers' shelves.
	March 23, 2001--It's no rumor--Campagnolo has released a complete set of cams to change almost any Ergo lever from 8 to 9 to 10 speed functionality. Click here for more information.
	March 8, 2001--From a fan in Italy, here is the new 350mm carbon seatpost, and the new seatpost clamp, which has an advertised weight of just 21 grams.
	March 8, 2001--Here are the best photos yet of the "Record" carbon crank, which in fact bears the name of Italian bicycle manufacturer Bianchi. Reader Robert Thomas has actually ridden one of these cranksets--here are his comments: I tried a pair of carbon cranks last year with my Campy 10 speed set up and found the spider to flex too much to work properly with the narrow ten speed derailleur. Also the cranks put the feet wider apart and I did not like that, I sent them back. They had the same type of spider as the photo, with five bolts points on five spider arms. I like the 4 and one on the crank arm myself, like the 10 speed cranks from Campy. The carbon cranks I tried are not the same as photo, just generically similar. I don't know if there Campy or not, but doubt it, Bianchi says it's their cranks. Many different brands and parts can be made by someone else with different labels stuck on them. I don't read Italian very well so who knows. Around 350 grams as far as I can tell, with maybe another 140 grams of so with chain rings and spider, my reading goes to hell in this part. Maybe the Pedals are 140 grams or so each and the complete crank with rings is 350 grams, or more likely the cranks are 350 grams without rings but with spider, not sure? Looks like they may have an Titanium inner with Ergal connections and of course the carbon outside, or the pedals have a Titanium axle and Ergal outside.
	February 28, 2001--Rumors to the contrary, Campagnolo's official web site (www.campagnolo.com) is still up and operational. One reader wrote to tell us that the web site was gone, but last time we checked it's still there . .
	February 13, 2001--We received several Email tips about a photo on the www.cyclingnews.com website on Feb. 12 that could (maybe) show the elusive Record carbon crankset. The photo (at right) shows Marco Pantani, his Bianchi, and team manager Felice Gimondi at the unveiling of the Mercatone Uno cycling team. Unfortunately, the photo is on the small side, but we've enlarged the crankset to get a closer view (photo below). Is there really a Record carbon crankset, or is this Bianchi's own version? You be the judge . . . Click on either image for a larger version.
	February 8, 2001--It's official--Campagnolo will be introducing a 350mm version of the Record Carbon seatpost, aimed at the niche market for sloping-top-tube frames. Also coming is a new seatpost clamp that addresses the overstressing of the carbon post (see our earlier rumor reports from 2000).
	January 1, 2001--The new year finds the Campy Only Rumor Crew surfing the U.S. Patent Office's web site, looking for anything "Campagnolo." Campagnolo recently patented the core of the ErgoBrain computer, the ability to display the selected cog on the computer's display--click here to read their patent description (U.S. Patent #6142281). Interestingly, Campagnolo filed a separate patent for the same idea on the front derailleur (U.S. Patent #6132327). What else is new? How about a new composite spoke? (U.S. Patent #06036279) You could see these on the road on Campy's top-of-the-line wheels, or you can click on the image at right to see it now--> Click here to read the entire patent description.

Earlier rumors are archived below: